While I was hard at work in the inn, Palgeop came into the room and said,
“Young Lord, we received a message from Lord Ma.”
“Oh? Really?”
“Yes. He says there’s a good cotton field available.”
I grinned.
“He took the bait.”
“Shall I prepare for departure right away?”
“No. We’ll go in about two days.”
“Huh? Why wait, sir?”
“We need to avoid raising any suspicion. If I rush over too soon, they might start wondering, ‘Isn’t this too convenient?’ That’d be bad.”
I continued.
“If we’re doing this, we should deceive him properly.”
“…”
Palgeop looked at me with an expression of dread.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I just thought… Thank goodness I’m your attendant, not your enemy.”
“Don’t be ridiculous…”
Just then, Geumryeong flew in through the window.
“Kui!”
“There you are!”
Geumryeong was holding a scroll in its mouth.
I’d sent it to Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province, and it had just returned.
Knowing that Bing Hae-rin, the Young Palace Lord of the Snow Wind Palace, was staying there, I’d sent Geumryeong to get something important for the Han family.
Two days passed.
I put on a new set of silk clothes I had prepared from a local textile shop. I also had Palgeop and the Escort Guards change into new silk outfits.
“It makes me so happy to wear silk this often. Hahaha.”
Escort Guard Yeo Eung-am laughed heartily, and Lee Pil smirked as he replied.
“Looks like you’re fully used to it now.”
“When you follow our young master around long enough, you can’t help but get used to it.”
“Well, that’s true.”
Hearing their conversation, I thought to myself that it was a good idea to get them used to wearing silk in advance.
We soon arrived at the Ma Clan Manor.
“Welcome! We’ve been waiting for you.”
Today, an attendant was waiting right at the gate. That alone showed how anxious they were.
According to the information Jin Yu had gathered, the Murim Alliance representative would return with the revised contract tomorrow afternoon.
Which meant today was the perfect time to visit.
We followed the attendant to the guest hall, where, as expected, expensive refreshments were already prepared.
The tea was the same high-grade Dragon Well Tea as before, though the snacks were different this time.
As I was savoring the tea, I heard Lord Ma’s footsteps approaching.
He hadn’t even let me finish my first cup before rushing over. He must be pretty desperate.
Judging by the hastily opened door and his messy clothes, he probably ran over.
“Greetings, Lord Ma.”
“Yes, we meet again. Have a seat.”
“Thank you.”
“By the way, I sent word two days ago… What took you so long?”
“My apologies. I’ve had quite a few responsibilities to handle, and finding time has been difficult. As you know, our merchant group is currently entrusted with imperial business on behalf of His Majesty.”
As soon as I used the Emperor as an excuse, Lord Ma cleared his throat and changed the subject.
“Hem hem. Well, if that’s the case, I understand.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
“Anyway, I called you here because you mentioned you were looking for a good cotton field.”
“Ah, yes, that’s right.”
“But the only cotton fields in the area are the ones I own. You seemed to be in a bit of a hurry, so…”
He’s desperate for money, yet still trying to maintain the upper hand.
“To be honest, I’m not in that much of a hurry. It’s not like I need to start the business immediately, and I don’t necessarily have to do it here.”
“Haha. That may be so, but there aren’t many fields that produce cotton as high-quality as mine. That much I can assure you.”
He’s falling for it beautifully.
“So, would you be able to sell right away?”
“Of course. If you need it, I’m ready to sell.”
“How many pyeong are you thinking of selling?”
“160,000 pyeong.” (TL Note: Around 130 acres)
Jackpot. According to the information I gathered in advance, Lord Ma owns around 160,000 pyeong of cotton fields in total.
Which means he’s selling the entire thing.
Honestly, it’s not a form of investment I’d normally recommend, but for me, it’s perfect.
He took the bait.
“I’ll offer 2,000 Gold Taels.”
“That’s a bit on the low side.”
“Then how about 2,100 Gold Taels?”
After about two hours of intense negotiation, we closed the deal.
The final price was 2,300 Gold Taels.
As I slipped the signed contract into my sleeve, Lord Ma asked,
“When can you pay the full amount?”
“I can have it delivered tomorrow morning.”
“Really?”
“Yes. If needed, I can retrieve it from the treasury myself and hand it over on the spot.”
“That’s great. If you need additional guards, I can lend you some.”
“I’d appreciate that, thank you.”
I took a sip of tea and smiled slightly.
Though I paid a little more than the current market price, this wasn’t a loss at all.
In fact, it was a huge gain for me.
The current cold season is nothing compared to the extreme winter coming soon.
In such times, the demand for cotton skyrockets.
Those who had money wore clothes made from animal pelts, but for the common folk, the only real option for warmth was clothing and blankets filled with cotton.
That’s why the price of cotton soared through the roof.
In my past life, Lord Ma probably made a good amount of money selling his cotton fields.
He likely used that money to offset the loss he suffered from investing in the Baekun Escort Bureau.
But this time, that profit was going to me.
When people like Lord Ma hold wealth, it’s always the innocent who suffer.
Still, the fact that he’s selling off all his land means he plans to invest most of his money.
Which means he’ll be tight on cash until the returns come in.
“Lord Ma.”
“What is it?”
“To be honest… isn’t it a bit burdensome to send the full investment to the Murim Alliance all at once?”
“…”
He didn’t answer, but silence was as good as a confirmation.
“Honestly, I doubt they need the entire amount immediately either. So why not issue a promissory note?”
“A note?”
“Yes. Issue it through the treasury. That way, the Murim Alliance doesn’t need to worry about moving such a large sum at once, and you won’t be overly strained either.”
“Ah… That makes sense. As expected of someone raised in a family that handles vast sums of money. You’re clever.”
“Hahaha, you flatter me.”
There’s a very specific reason I’m suggesting he use a promissory note.
“Oh, by the way, is there a place in this town called the Han Family Martial Hall?”
“Hm? Wh-why do you ask?”
At my question, Lord Ma’s expression stiffened.
“Well, I had to travel to the North Sea recently. As you know, our Eunhae Merchant Group has been distributing a large quantity of high-quality furs lately, right?”
“Ah, yes, I heard about that.”
“While traveling for that deal, I happened to meet a brother and sister. We exchanged names, and they told me they were from the Han Family Martial Hall in Taegyeong County, Henan. If I recall, their names were Han Jae-ik and Lady Han Jae-in…”
“Hahaha. Of course I know them. But why were they there…?”
“Oh! They said they’d come to deliver the younger sister to the North Sea Ice Palace. Apparently, there had been a request from the Young Palace Lord herself. Since I had ties to the North Sea from a previous visit and was curious about the palace, I accompanied them all the way to the inn near the Ice Palace.”
“Inn?”
“Yes. There’s an inn just outside the North Sea Ice Palace.”
As I continued speaking, Lord Ma’s face gradually turned pale.
“Are you feeling unwell, sir?”
“N-No, not at all. So… what happened to that girl, Jae-in…?”
“Oh, Lady Han Jae-in successfully entered the North Sea Ice Palace.”
“…”
After Eun Seo-ho left, Lord Ma urgently called for his bodyguard.
“Deok-bae. Is it true there’s an inn near the entrance to the North Sea Ice Palace?”
“Yes. From what I’ve heard, there is. It’s said to be the only place men are allowed to go near there.”
“…”
“Damn it!”
He slammed his fist down on the table.
“What’s wrong, sir?”
At the bodyguard’s question, Lord Ma burst out in anger.
“That bastard father of Han Jae-in was telling the truth! That girl really did enter the North Sea Ice Palace!”
“…”
Hearing that, Deok-bae’s face turned grim.
“If that’s true… this is bad. If she hears what you did to the Han Family Martial Hall… she may seek revenge later.”
“That’s a problem for later. There’s something more urgent right now. I told Deputy Merchant Lord Eun that I’d personally escort him to the Han Family Martial Hall the day after tomorrow.”
With just a bit of investigation, it’d be obvious that the Han Family Martial Hall exists here and that the eldest son is Han Jae-ik.
There’s no way to deny its existence.
But right now, that place was being left to rot and die under his own orders.
If Eun Seo-ho saw that horrific state…
He could break off their deal.
Until money actually changes hands, he could cancel the agreement at any time if there’s a justifiable reason.
And if word of his dishonor spread widely…
‘That can’t happen.’
He immediately called for his attendants.
“Uh…”
Han Jae-ik was utterly baffled.
Just yesterday, Lord Ma had been trying to crush his family, but now he was smiling and acting friendly.
“Why didn’t you say you knew Deputy Merchant Lord Eun Seo-ho?”
“You never asked…”
“Haha! Connections like that are worth bragging about, you know.”
“…”
Meanwhile, the workers Lord Ma had brought were busy repairing the damaged martial hall.
The granary was being stocked with grain, firewood was being stacked in one corner of the courtyard, and maids were scrubbing the house clean.
Two physicians had even arrived to treat Han Jae-ik’s father.
“I misunderstood you. Deputy Merchant Lord Eun told me. Said your sister had entered the North Sea Ice Palace.”
“Yes, I personally escorted her there.”
“I heard it was at the personal request of the Young Palace Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace.”
At those words, Han Jae-ik recalled the scroll that had arrived at their home the previous night.
It was a request to allow Han Jae-in to enter the palace, praising her as a gifted talent. At the end was the seal of the Young Palace Lord.
Also included was a letter from Eun Seo-ho, explaining that it would come in handy.
He had no idea how Eun Seo-ho had gotten that scroll with the Young Palace Lord’s name on it.
‘Well… if it’s Deputy Merchant Lord Eun, I suppose it’s possible.’
He quickly nodded.
“Ah, that’s right. I didn’t think to show you that.”
He casually went inside, brought out the scroll, and handed it to Lord Ma.
“…”
Seeing it, cold sweat ran down Lord Ma’s back.
And it was the dead of winter.
“Ahem… Ahem. Why didn’t you mention this earlier?”
“I just felt awkward bringing it up.”
“In any case, I’m sorry about everything. Hahaha.”
“…”
“So… when Deputy Merchant Lord Eun visits the day after tomorrow, I’d appreciate it if you could speak well of me.”
“Ah… sure.”
Han Jae-ik answered while scratching his cheek.
He genuinely felt like he’d just been possessed by a ghost.
But there was no mistaking who had turned this nightmare of a situation around so suddenly.
That made his decision all the more firm.
‘I need to join the Eunhae Merchant Group.’
Morning came.
Through Escort Guard Seo Wu, I received word that Lord Ma had gone to the Han Family Martial Hall and scrambled to clean things up.
“Just as I expected.”
At my comment, Seo Wu smiled.
“You sure resolved that faster than I thought.”
“I plan to stay in this town for a little while. I may as well be comfortable while I’m here.”
“True. But… do you think young Han and his family will leave this place?”
“Yes. It’d be uncomfortable for both sides if they stayed.”
“That’s true.”
Of course, I understood that the townspeople couldn’t help themselves under Lord Ma’s dominance.
But understanding and feeling disappointed were two different things.
The villagers must’ve felt guilty or remorseful about what happened to the Han Family Martial Hall.
“When are you planning to visit them?”
“The day after tomorrow. And once the Murim Alliance takes the promissory note tomorrow, do exactly as I instructed.”
Seo Wu grinned at my words.
“This really feels like something out of a martial arts novel.”
The money I used to buy the cotton fields was from my personal funds.
I’d been saving diligently, so spending that much wasn’t an issue.
And I fully intended to recover it—quietly.
There’s no way I’ll allow even a single coin of mine to end up in the hands of Baekcheon Merchant Group or the Murim Alliance.
Especially since I know that money’s going to go up in smoke.
But even if I take it back, not a single Tael of it will return to my own pocket.
Every coin will go toward the people of Taegyeong County.
Truthfully, cotton cultivation demands a lot of manual labor. Children who were old enough to understand instructions were often forced to work the fields.
They should’ve been fairly compensated for that, but according to Palgeop’s investigation, they were paid far less than they deserved.
And when Lord Ma fancied something—be it objects or people—he took it without hesitation.
That money should rightfully be used for the welfare of Taegyeong County’s residents.
I’m just returning what Lord Ma extorted, in his place.
–TL Notes–
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